This Challenge is Interactive – PLEASE comment in and VOTE for UK or U of L! Ahh, just around the corner lies the beloved American pastime, football season! Everything from high school to college, to the NFL, and of coarse, fantasy football. Plain and simple, it’s huge in America. Football is the most watched sport in America, with the NFL being the most watched sport on television. So, the Renaissance Man and I, Masher, have decided to come up with our own special challenge to help kick off the gridiron season and incorporate a little cycling into it, of coarse.

THE RIVALRY

As is the case with most states, there typically lies a rivalry between big time in-state schools or nearby intrastate schools, the great Bluegrass State is no different. The rivalry between Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats is as intense and heated as most. For the most part, UK fans hate U of L, and vice versa. I happen to be an exception to the rule (sort of). Out of respect to many of my close friends, that unfortunately have to root for UK, I choose not to be a hater and root against them as long as they’re not playing U of L ( or at least not in front of my friends). Renaissance Man is equally respectful as a UK fan. As a Cards fan, the worst part about the rivalry is that I live in “Wildcat Territory” only 15 minutes from the University of Kentucky campus. As a lifelong Louisville fan, I can honestly admit that we are much less stressed because it’s not the end of the world when we lose to UK or have a rough season here or there, however when UK loses to The Ville or when they have a rough season, the end of the world must be near, along with the coach’s contract. The recent history favors the Cats with 4 straight wins in football and 2 consecutive in basketball. I, for one, hope this year breaks both streaks, but we have our work cut out for us since both games will be played in Lexington.

THE CHALLENGE

Pretty simple, a grueling 8.5 mile bicycle race between Renaissance & Masher. The course will be a common training loop for us both, one that we currently ride a weekly time trial on as part of our regular 25-30 mile course. It is a 4.2 mile route around some horse farms just southwest of Georgetown, with mostly flat terrain and a few rollers towards the end. Our ultimate goal is to finish the loop in twelve minutes or less, and so far, we have achieved times from 12:25-13:45. The game day challenge will be more demanding than usual, having to complete the loop twice. Now here’s the interesting part, the actual challenge: the winner of the race will be granted one point for every 15 seconds of victory that will apply to the UK-U of L football game. For instance, if Renaissance beats Masher by 35 seconds, that means he gets his team (UK) and 2 points. In other words, the outcome of our race may not predict the outcome of the football game, but it could possibly salvage somewhat of a victory, morally anyways, because the loser of the challenge also loses some of their pride. Ultimately, it’s all for fun, no matter what the outcome!

THE PRIZE

The prizes are grand and awesome! Pride, sanity, and happiness to the winner, while the loser will receive humiliation, disgrace, and depression (at least momentarily). The winner of the YOOKAY-YOOUHVELL CHALLENGE will get to wear their team colors to church on Sunday, with pride and a smile on their face. Unfortunately, the loser has to wear the opponents colors with school name to the same 10:30 Mass at St. John Catholic Church. This will be devastating for one of us, but it’s all in good fun and friendship. I think it will be worse if I lose, because while Renaissance is a huge Kentucky fan, he is a Louisville grad, and has had to wear their colors once before. So, now it’s official. The Challenge is set! Who are you voting for? UK or U of L? Renaissance or Masher?